Achmelvich bay has a stunning and popular beach; this walk leads from it along a good path to visit a ruined old mill and hidden cove. There is also the option to hunt for a hidden hermit's 'castle'.
Summary
Good path to Alltan'abradhan. Optional extension to the hermit's castle is rough and pathless but short.
Terrain
NC058248
Grid ref
6km/3.75 miles
Distance
Grade
Achmelvich Beach car park
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No public tranpost. Achmelvich Beach can be reached by following a good footpath from Baddidarrach in Lochinver.
Open Traveline Scotland
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1. Begin the walk by following a track uphill from the car park – it has a wooden footpath sign for Alltanabradhan. The track has views to the left to the sea – turquoise in sunny weather – and passes through another gate. When a house comes into view ahead, take the signed footpath off to the left. This is the old route and winds through the rocky landscape before climbing up to the house with great views back over Achmelvich. The path joins another coming in from the right and passes left of the house.
2. The path – which is mostly dry and grassy and a joy to walk upon – undulates over the coastal hills and passes through a tiny gate in a drystone wall. It then descends to another wall before climbing once more and then descending with a view of a chipped-surface road ahead. Turn left before the road, running parallel to it until a wooden sign indicates where to go right (just before reaching some holiday cottages), cross over the road and follow a similar track up to a large modern house. Take the path to the left of this house over one final rise with a magnificent view back.
3. The path now descends to a fast flowing stream. Cross this on stepping stones, ignoring steps up to the right. You are now at Alltan'abrahan, a ruined grain mill. There are several old mill stones around the building, which were turned by means of a horizontal paddle – an interpretation board gives full details. Before returning to Achmelvich it is worth continuing down the path to reach the quiet little bay, with two coves – one pebbly and one sandy. After enjoying this, retrace your steps back to the start.
4. Be sure to visit Achmelvich beach itself before leaving – it has perfect sand around a lovely crescent. There is one other very short walk worth doing to visit a hermit's tiny 'castle' built in the 1960s. The way to it is pathless but not too hard to find. Head to the Achmelvich campsite and turn left past the front of the campsite shop. Continue through towards the far end of the campsite, looking for and passing through a gate and stile on the right hand side.
5. Once over the stile there is no path. Make your way round the coastline, keeping high to avoid the slabby rocks as much as possible. After a few minutes of this tricky terrain the tiny castle should come into view. It is made of concrete with a very strange design, having been built by a newly qualified architect in the 1960s. He made friends in the community but after completing the castle he stayed in it only once before leaving never to return. It is tiny inside and the glass is gone from the square windows – not a comfortable place to spend the night. Return to the car park the same way.
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